Wrapping as packaging

Abstract: In wrapping as packaging (6) comprising flat backing part (1A) and shaped part (1B), in which window (4) can be made, these two parts (1A, 1B) being formed from a single piece which has been punched out and folded from a flat sheet (1) of packaging material. The use of cardboard is preferred, and it is possible to use recycled cardboard without detracting from the aesthetic appearance of the package.

Description: The invention relates to the field of packaging, in particular a wrapping for packaging which is called "blister" in specialist's jargon. As the persons expert in the filed know, such wrapping is formed by a first flat backing part joined to a second protruding part closed on all sides with the possible exception of windows and forming a container portion surrounded by flat rims and provided with a desired shape suitable to the product to be contained. Usually blister packs are provided with means, for example an opening or a window, that enable the product contained therein to be seen through and are consequently dispayed in stores. In the current state of the art, this type of wrapping, with or without this window, is produced by using glue or a similar system to join a first flat blank part in which this window can be made if necessary, and a second separate part shaped so as to hold the product. In most cases the flat part is made of cardboard and the second part of plastic, transparent or not quite transparent, as described by EP-A-0 337 228, disclosing a wrapping according to the preamble of claim 1. This type of wrapping as packaging entails many problems and disadvantages, such as for example the complicated dimensions of the parts constituting the wrapping, in particular the protruding part, which must be transported, the necessity of having to dispose of the two parts of the wrapping in different ways since they are made of different materials, and the necessity in most cases of having to imprint each part in two separate operations in order to apply graphics such as the company logo, instructions, or other information. In some other cases, such as that described by FR-A-2 617 137, both said parts are of plastic materials involving also other different kinds of problems. Moreover, in some types of wrapping produced more recently, in which cardboard is used as a material for both these parts, all the problems described above remain, with the exception of the difficulty in disposal. It is further known (e.g. GB-A-2 079 725) to provide a wrapping as a packaging for a particular product, namely an electric lamp bulb. The package being formed from one piece of flat material has at least one window through which the bulb partially extends and with which it cooperates. Due to this dedication to a particular product this packaging is not of the "blister"-type concerned. In particular, the object of this invention is wrapping as packaging of the type described above, which avoids the problems referred to above. The inventor of this invention has provided a comprehensive solution to all these problems by creation of wrapping as packaging made of a single piece of cardboard or the like, according to claim 1. A more detailed description of the invention follows, with reference to the attached figures, which represent: in Fig. 1, a plan view of the flat blank, an embodiment of the wrapping according to the invention; in Fig. 2 a perspective view of this wrapping in Fig. 1 after it has been shaped in an appropriate manner by folding and gluing; in Fig. 3 a perspective view of the wrapping shown in Figs. 1 and 2 from another point of view; in Fig. 4 a plan view of another embodiment of the invention; in Fig. 5 a plan view of a last embodiment of the invention. The idea on which the invention is based is simple and logical: make wrapping as packaging by punching out a flat sheet of packaging cardboard or the like in such a way as to form, by subsequent refolding along the premade fold lines, a shaped container which is then closed by glueing its facing edges together. Examination of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 reveals the following, as anticipated to this extent: a flat sheet 1 of packaging cardboard or the like is punched out along continuous outlines 2, and on it are punched out premade fold areas shown with dotted lines 3. By properly refolding the flat sheet so as to cover with flat backing part 1A the other part 1B of the wrapping, which is then folded along premade fold lines 3, wrapping as packaging 6 (Figs. 2 and 3) is obtained with the desired shape. In this first punchout operation, window 4 can also be made for display of the product, and on two facing parts buttonhole 5 for hanging the package in the store. The area intended for glueing is designated by number 7. The advantages of this type of wrapping as packaging according to the invention are obvious: first of all, only one piece is worked using a single punching operation, and secondly, only one printing operation is used on one side of the flat blank face of the wrapping; the desired graphics can be produced either on recto 6A or verso 6B of wrapping 6. Likewise, a strip of glue, lacquer or other adhesive can be applied in a single operation on only one of the two faces of the flat blank. The wrapping as packaging according to the invention can also be prepared for transporting before folding and glueing, their dimensions during this phase being only minimal due to the fact that these wrappings, which are only flat blanks composed of thin sheets of packaging material, will be in a stack, one on top of the other. According to the invention the material used is cardboard or the like, which is recyclable. Since, as already indicated, only one of the faces of the flat blank of the wrapping forms both faces 6A, 6B recto and verso in the finished wrapping, the use of recycled cardboard, which as is recognized has one side which is not especially attractive, is not precluded. Once the wrapping is finished, in fact, only the attractive side will be visible from the outside. For this purpose all that must be done is to cut a blank of the flat sheet of recycled cardboard in such a way that the flat backing part 1A will in the finished wrapping be entirely covered by shaped part 1B; this can be done in a number of different ways according to the invention (see for example Figs. 4 and 5). The aforementioned Figures 4 and 5 are drawings of two embodiments showing only the flat blanks, in which the flat part 1A will be completely covered by opposite part 1B in the finished wrapping. The embodiments described and shown obviously do not cover all the possible embodiments of the invention, whose scope is defined in the attached claims.

Claims: Wrapping as packaging (6) for a product, which can be provided with one or more windows that allow the product contained therein to be seen, formed by a first flat backing part (1A) joined to a second protruding part (1B) closed on all sides with the possible exception of the one or more windows and forming a container portion with a desired shape suitable to the product to be contained, said second protruding part (1B) having flat rims (7) which totally surround its outer profile characterized in that this first part (1A) and this second part (1B) are made from one piece by punching out and folding a flat sheet (1) of packaging cardboard or the like all the portions of which parts (1A, 1B) either directly face or are incident to one another after folding so that, by printing graphics or by applying an adhesive on a single face of this sheet (1), the desired graphics or a strip of adhesive are applied on different sides (6A, 6B) of this wrapping (6). Wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the product is rendered visible by one or more windows made either on the said first (1A) or second part (2A) or on both of them in correspondence with the container portion. Wrapping according to claim 2 in which the cardboard used is of the type obtained by recycling paper material.

Inventors: RODA FRANCO, TADDEI RENZO, RODA, FRANCO, TADDEI, RENZO
Applicants: RODA SA FLLI, FRATELLI RODA S.A.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: B65D5